‘REC’ sequels find Gallic home

Le Pacte, Wild Side nab 'Genesis,' 'Apocalypse'

PARIS — Spanish gore pics Paco Plaza’s “REC Genesis” and Jaume Balaguero’s “REC Apocalypse,”the last two pics in the hit zombie franchise, have been acquired by Le Pacte and Wild Side Films for French theatrical and DVD distrib.

Skedded for delivery fall 2011 and fall 2012, “Genesis” and “Apocalypse”were greenlit by Filmax Ent., one of Spain’s leading production outfits, in May.

“REC” and “REC2,” which bowed at Venice and played Spain’s Sitges festival, have been critical and commercial successes — even yielding a U.S. remake, Jennifer Carpenter starrer “Quarantine,” exec produced by Filmax’ managing director Carlos Fernandez and chairman Julio Fernandez.

Le Pacte and Wild Side previously teamed up to pick up “REC” and “REC 2,” which performed well at the Gallic B.O., grossing $4.15 million and $3.43 million respectively.

Founded three years ago by French industry vet Jean Labadie, Le Pacte stands alongside Wild Bunch as one of the few French backers of local and foreign indie genre films. The shingle for instance rolled out Gaul’s first zombie film “The Horde” in theaters. The company also thrives with more traditional auteur-driven pics, such as Mathieu Amalric’s “On Tour” and Julie Bertucelli’s “The Tree.”